Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 124836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 624(@200wpm)___ 499(@250wpm)___ 416(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 624(@200wpm)___ 499(@250wpm)___ 416(@300wpm)
Oh. How much of the conversation did he hear? And when exactly did Einstein know he was there?
Chapter thirty-one
The Third Damn Time
Moni
Lei remained in the doorway. His presence was imposing and his eyes were locked onto Einstein’s retreating figure with a look that could have turned anyone to stone. I could see it in his stance—the tightly coiled muscles, the set jaw, the flash of something dangerous in his eyes.
Lei looked like he wanted to tear Einstein apart, piece by piece.
Without saying goodbye, Einstein strode out of the library and Lei directed his view to me.
Tension thickened in the room, but at least his expression softened and that dangerous flash left his eyes.
Lei stepped inside. “Your sisters sound like they love the house.”
“I think they do.”
“My aunts are helping them set up their new clothes.”
“I bet they are.”
Lei closed the door behind him and the lock clicked. “We should talk.”
“We should.”
Lei’s gaze shifted to dark and unreadable. “I know you grew up with many in Rowe Street Mob, but I would rather you not be alone with them.”
“Are you referring to my talking to Einstein in here by ourselves?”
“I am.”
“That’s family.”
The line of his jaw twitched. “Still, don’t be alone with him or others.”
“I can’t promise that. If the situation calls for it, Lei, then I will be alone with them.”
He stepped forward. “Then, make sure the situation doesn’t call for it.”
I raised my eyebrows. “How long were you standing there?”
“Long enough to hear your unwavering loyalty for the East.” Lei stopped in front of me, keeping five feet of space between us.
I held his gaze. “Since I have you here and am feeling pretty damn bold today, we should talk about your plans for the South.”
Lei’s eyes narrowed and his jaw twitched. “What plans?”
“Whatever plans you have.”
“There are no plans.”
I studied him. “Are you lying to me?”
He looked away. “The grill off will be soon. Everyone had been heading down there, so we should—”
“You locked the door like we had all the time in the world. Now we don’t?”
“I changed my mind. It would be better to end this cookout faster—”
“Or you’re avoiding this discussion.”
“We said we would talk about Marcelo and his bullshit later.”
“Now is later.”
“No. Later would be in a few days.”
“Do you have plans for the South that involve death and/or violence?”
That line of his jaw twitched again.
"We will talk about this later.” His refusal to discuss it only confirmed my suspicions.
Whatever he was planning for the South, it wasn’t anything good. That realization sent a chill down my spine, but I couldn’t let it show.
Like his farther, Lei was calculating, always thinking five steps ahead.
I sighed. “Whatever you’re planning, I need to know.”
He didn’t move, didn’t blink. For a moment, it was as if he was made of stone.
Then, he exhaled sharply, his eyes darkening even further. “They came to the East with bullshit.”
“And it was handled. Right?” I blinked. “What happened in the meeting?”
“The Four Aces was financially penalized which ended up being a fine—”
“Then, it’s settled.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Marcelo had his arms around you and then he lifted you up in the air which means that he probably had his fucking mouth on your chest or neck—”
“He didn’t.”
“He was testing me—”
“And you did fine—”
“No.” He shook his head. “I don’t like to be played with and Rowe Street Mob must understand that.”
I swallowed hard. “So what are you going to do? And don’t lie to me.”
“We’re not doing this right now.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’re not going to like the answer and I don’t know how to avoid saying it to you.”
“So? Couples have difficult discussions all the time. As long as we are honest and respectful toward each other during the conversation, everything should be fine.”
He pursed his lips.
“So. . .” I held out my hands. “What are your plans for the South?”
He ran his fingers through his hair and looked everywhere else but me.
“Okay then. Tell me why you don’t want Jo in the South.”
“It would be better for all of you to be settled in the East which means not visiting the South for a few months—”
“Are you insane?”
Lei scowled.
“We will go in and out of the East whenever we please. We don’t need to sit in the East to get used to it.”
“I don’t want you in the South.”
“Why not? What are your plans for the South?”
His jaw clenched and he finally met my gaze again. A storm swirled in his eyes. Then, with a low, measured tone, he said, “Do you remember what I did to Banks’s men?”
My breath hitched. “You’re going to beat Marcelo up?”
“Or. . .more.”
“More? What the fuck does that mean?”
“I’m not going to let him continue to disrespect—”
“What does more mean?” I headed over to him. “Because like. . .we already talked about this on Mount Utopia and we discussed this in the garden last night. And I made myself very clear that you will not harm them because they are my family. So. . .honestly, I’m confused.”